Disparities in Access to Health Care and Research Course
Disparities in Access to Health Care and Research Course
This free course, sponsored by the UR CTSI and Center for Community Health & Prevention, explores how historic and current harms have shaped the relationship between doctors/researchers and patients/research participants who are historically marginalized individuals.
This course is not currently accepting applicants. Notify When Available
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Goals
Critically examining and acknowledging the historical and systemic factors that have shaped disparities in health care and research systems is essential to closing the health equity gap. Developed by community partners, this course provides foundational knowledge of the social and structural drivers of disparities in health care and research. At the end of the course participants should understand that these disparities are not caused by inherent differences between groups but by broader systemic influences. They will also gain insight into how a long history of exploitation and mistreatment in research has led to a deep mistrust of the health care system and is the primary reason for historically marginalized individuals not participating in research studies.
Traci Terrance, PhD and John Cullen, PhD utilize a restorative practices approach to facilitate the course. Each session will include discussion and explore personal identity and bias, as well as historic content. The cohort will include 24 individuals: 12 from UR and 12 from community organizations.
Contact
If you have questions about this course, please email Laura_Sugarwala@URMC.Rochester.edu.
How to Apply
We welcome applications from staff, faculty, students, and community members (unaffiliated with the University). Attendance at all sessions is an expectation of participation. Due to high interest in the course, all applicants will be considered. Notifications will be sent approximately two weeks in advance.
Eligibility
This course is open to University of Rochester faculty, staff, trainees and students as well as community members (typically from community-based organizations).
Cost
There is no cost to attend this course.
Course Development Team
Mary Bisbee-Burrows, Ed.D.
Public Health Specialist/Disease Interventionist,
New York State Department of Health
Lucia Castillejo, M.S.
Executive Director,
Monroe County Medical Society
Alicia Evans, M.A.
Founder,
LeGray Dynamic
Katie Reed, B.S., R.N.
Clinical Specialist, RN,
Person Centered Services Care Coordination
Traci Terrance, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.
Clinician and Educator,
URMC Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine and Office of Equity and Inclusion
Karen Rogers, M.P.A.
Founder and CEO,
Exercise Express
Resources
Learn more about how community members led the development and implementation of the course in a scientific paper published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.
Current Course
Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2000 Highland Ave, Rochester, NY 14618. Please plan to attend all five in-person sessions.
Schedule
| Date & Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 3/19/25 4-6 p.m. | Introductions and laying the groundwork for community engagement |
| 3/26/25 4-6 p.m. | Learning from our community: Dean Seneca and a history of disparities in Indigenous health |
| 4/2/25 4-6 p.m. | Understanding and overcoming disparities in modern medicine |
| 4/9/25 4-6 p.m. | Learning from our community: Dr. Danielle Marino and Dr. Janice Cheong: community-based interventions |
| 4/16/25 4-6 p.m. | A cultural resilience framework for health care and research |
Dedication to Edgar Santa Cruz
The planning and facilitation team dedicates this course to Edgar Santa Cruz, a social worker and dedicated public servant who passed away tragically at the end of 2022. Edgar was a past participant of this course and was going to begin facilitating the course in the spring of 2023. We grieve the loss of our friend and colleague and hope to carry on his memory through this work.
Photo courtesy of Cameron Ministries.